Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Dearest Family!!

It seems to be the tradition in Canada to snow after a big holiday. Or at least that seems to be the trend this year. When it was Halloween, it snowed the day after. The same goes for Christmas, so we had a white Boxing Day instead this year. Did you know that Boxing Day was the day that the servants got off in England for Christmas? Me neither. Basically it is just black Friday after Christmas here (And everywhere else but America).

This week has consisted of a lot of finding and waiting. We had to be inside by 6 pm on Christmas Eve and Christmas, so we spent a lot of time with the Peter's Family. Both Sister Gardner and I finished the scarfs that we were crocheting, however it is kind of maddening staying inside all day when you are so used to being out.

As I said on our Skype call home, the Evergreen area is full of many different types of nationalities. We seem to be finding a lot in the way of Filipinos and Chinese, however because the Mandarin Elders like to teach the Chinese, we work mostly with Filipinos in our area!! I have learned to really enjoy Filipino food. It is funny because when I was waiting for my call letter to come in the mail, I was quite determined that I did not want to go to the Philippines, however Heavenly Father has blessed me to work with the wonderful people that have immigrated from there to Alberta. On Christmas day, we had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with Sister Fernandes, who is from the Philippines. She made the obvious Turkey and Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans, but everything else was a little less traditional (which was really sweet). She makes the best spring rolls and she also made this great rice dish that had shrimp and scallops in it.

So last week we had dinner with a less-active family in the ward. Both the husband and the wife are from the Philippines, so every time we go we are treated to great food and more left overs. What was different about this visit was that their sister Virgie was there. Now, she has been there before, but Brother Watson decided to spill the beans that she wasn't a member and that she would like to take the lessons from us. After talking to her, and asking if she really wanted to or it Brother Watson was just saying so, we picked her up as a NEW INVESTIGATOR!!! She is super nice, although quite, and we hope to be able to actually sit down with her soon to teach her.

On Friday (boxing day), we received a referral from the mission office for a new investigator named Christie. We called the number we had because she was expecting a call that day, however the number we had was incorrect, so we just stopped by. The sisters met her on the Train coming home from downtown contacting, and she has been here in Canada for more than 5 years, but she is also from the Philippines. We haven't actually gotten to teach her yet, but we gave her a Book of Mormon is Tagalog and said that we would stop by on Sunday (The best part about this story is to come).

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to a Filipino Christmas Party at the Stake Center. All of the Filipino missionaries (And companions) where there, and because it was at our Stake Center we were able to go. Sister Wagstaff was there (my MTC companion) so it was really nice to be able to catch up and see how the work in the NW is going. They had all sorts of food from a giant roasted pig to tiny squids (which I did try... it is weird when you can see their faces). It was fun to take part in the cool Filipino Christmas traditions. However, the best part was that the Watson's and Virgie where there, which meant extra time to learn about them and to build that relationship.  

Sunday was pretty amazing. This was our last week for 11 o' clock church, and although Janet (one of our investigators) didn't come, all of church was pretty fantastic. We have three amazing talks and one about the Savior that was given without notes. SOOO GOOD. However, after church was probably more cool than church itself. The Condron family signed up to have us over for dinner, so at 5 o'clock we went over there for breakfast for dinner. Afterwards, we asked them for any referrals or if they knew anyone that needed some strengthening. Sister Wolsey (their mom) told us about the Prete family (whom we knew had moved). However, we decided that we could still check to see if they really had moved, so we went over anyway. When we knocked on the door a couple named Claudia and Steven answered. They are two really devoted to Christ wonderful people and we gave them a Book of Mormon and will be stopping by again after they get back from Arizona!!!

Now for the pretty crazy part of the Friday story!! Sister Gardner and I decided on Sunday that we would be going back to Christie's house. Now remember how we had to stop by instead of call because her number was wrong? Well while we were there we met her nephew Kingston (24). When we went back on Sunday, he was the only one home, but invited us in. Since we can't come in without another female we declined, but Sister Gardner felt inspired to ask him is we could come back in 10 minutes. He said yes and we quickly called the YSA sisters to come to the lesson with us. The cool thing is that they were at the Stake Center (not even 5 minutes away) and their lesson has just cancelled on them!!!! When they showed up, we had a pretty great lesson with him, and asked invited him to be baptized!! Really cool ending to a pretty great week.

Thank you to everyone for the amazing Christmas gifts and the cards! I hope that you had an amazing Christmas and that your New Year is wonderful!!! I wanted to leave you with my testimony. I know that Heavenly Father knows and cares for each and every one of us personally. As we come to recognize the love that He has for us, we grow in confidence and purpose in life. I know that through my Savior Jesus Christ, I can become the person the Heavenly Father knows that I can. I know that He gives me strength through His atonement, and that because of it, He knows how to succor me and all of His people. I know that through the Book of Mormon, I have found guidance and answers to my every day questions. That it testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ, and that it likens to our lives completely. I know that it is true. And that because it is true Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I love you all so much. I hope that your Christmas season has been wonderful and that your New Year’s will be just as great.

"Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still , with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." D+C 123:17

I love you all,

Sister Jensen

Hi Mom,

Thank you so much for the gifts!! You knew exactly what I needed so now I don't have to go out and buy it!! I really like the shirt that you got for me from Dressbarn, and the skirt is super cute (and not to long!!!). I haven't taken the ring off (except to shower). I can now proudly say that I have driven in snow!! Let me know/send me pictures of what you make! The Peters got a cool massager thing for Christmas and let us use it, not as cool as a spa, but pretty sweet. I am glad that you liked Into the Woods!!! Don't forget to take dad to a movie he will like!! However I have no idea what is out. OH DID YOU GET TO GO SEE MARY POPPINS??? OR DID MAZ? I love you lots!! Tell everyone hi and that I love them.

Kelliann

It's Christmas time!

Hi Dad!!!

As far as I remember... or at least as far as my last high school year Paradise Valley Community College did have a flute choir that they do. Rachel and I were considering joining a while back, but both of us got busy doing other things. It sounds like your Christmas concert went really well!!! I wish that I could have been there to see it but I know that you where definitely aided by the Lord. It is crazy that even the smallest things, or the things that should be small to Him, He helps us with. We had our Christmas program this week as well, and although Sister Cobb did a good job at putting it together, yours sounds like it was full of excitement and the spirit. We had a women’s choir that sang a song about Mary and a bunch of other musical numbers, one by a girl in the ward named Kaylin who did a wonderful arrangement of We Three Kings on the piano. I think that I might start asking people in the ward for their favorite arrangement of pieces so that I can expand my repertoire. I will let Sister Peters know about the skype information and I can't wait to talk to you on Thursday at 10 am.... also I was wondering if you could possibly read the Christmas story like you used to do every Christmas eve. I didn't realize how much I missed that until I came out on my mission. I love you!!!

Kelliann (Sister Jensen)

Well it is finally the week of Christmas and also my four month mark as a missionary!!!! I can't believe that it has already been four months and that soon it will be 2015. Probably the weirdest thought of my life. I must say that I am kind of disappointed because it still has not snowed here and we have had two Chinooks in a row so really it just feels like I am in Arizona. It even reach like plus 7 yesterday which I think is like 45 degrees in the States...

I must say that Canadians are obsessed with those inflatable decorations. I think that there is one on like every third house depending on the street you go down. I definitely don't get the hype over it all, but I do see a lot of Olaf's and even some Ninja Turtles and Angry Birds. Because it is the Christmas season, I have been experiancing the Canadian version of Christmas baking. We have these things called Nanimo bars up here that are basically choclate, some sort of custardy chocolate coconut thing.... you should look it up it is really good. Also Canadians have never heard of Toffee.... lets just say that I will be making some on Christmas eve. Speaking of Christmas baking, on Saturday we went over to a members house and helped them do a bunch of their Christmas baking. They have been sick for about 3 weeks and didn't have the energy to do it, plus they are probably about the sweetest ladies I have ever met. We made Lemon Merigue Pie, Almond Roca Bars, and Sugar Cookies. All of them where from the box, but we had fun and it was honestly easier.

The Christmas season is a lot of fun as a missionary. We spent time on Sunday going around to doors and Christmas caroling to all of the house. We have these awesome pass alond cards for the "HE is the Gift" program (christmas.mormon.org), and so it is really easy to just give some one a  card and ask that they watch the video on the link. This week we will be going to the Christmas Nativity Pagent over at Heritage Park, and having Hot Chocolate after which should be a lot of fun and a great way for members to bring their friends out to things.

I think one of the most frustrating thing about the season though is that every keeps telling us to come back after the new year... which means that we will be quit busy when the new year does come, however it leaves room for people to contemplate and for them to get into some anti stuff which is never fun to help them out of.

The members that we did the Christmas baking for told us that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir did a version of the Christmas Carol on PBS this week. Over all things are going pretty great up here in the Great not so white North. The work is moving a long, we have found many people to teach, and the members are amazing. I hope that this week we all take time to remember what our Saviour, Jesus Christ, has done for us and the love that our Father in Heavenly has for you. And if you don't know that, I highly suggest that you check out the link posted above. I know that remembering that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and that I have a way back to Him through my Saviour that I am not only more confindent, but loving, grateful, and happy. Our Father in Heaven has a plan for us called the Plan of Happiness and it is all because of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ that that plan came to pass. I love you all and hope that the Christmas season has brought you happiness and warmth. I found this quote yesterday as I was studying and I hope that it brings you as much comfort as it did me. I love you all...

"Quite: God at Work. Meanwhile, hold on, Child of God. Keep believing. Don't quit. Don't give up. Let God do His work in you. The greatest tragedy is to miss what God wants to teach us through our troubles." - Ray Pritchard"Why has this happened to me"

Love Sister (Kelliann) Jensen

10 Days til Christmas

Hello Everyone!!!

Is everyone else freaking out that Christmas is only 10 days away?? Time flies when you are serving the Lord. I can't believe really that soon it will be 2015, which will be my mission year (or the full year that I will be out on a mission). I apologize in advance that you haven't gotten my Christmas presents yet... I might not have sent them yet. I will make sure that they get out this week though.

So this week has actually been one of the most miraculous weeks that I have had probably in my life. I feel like every day I am progressing to new understandings of my Savior, and that I am learning so much about myself and my capabilities as a missionary. Although I still have days when I am not quite sure, I have learned to combat my doubts, put them a side, and rely on the evidence that I have that the Lord loves me and is looking out for me day by day. I am really enjoying being with Sister Gardner. I feel like we challenge each other day by day, and she really pushes me to be completely obedient. I find it quite easy to be myself, whoever that is anymore, around her.

We have had some pretty crazy experiences together as a companionship so far, and I am not really sure where to start. I guess I will start with the fact that we now know that we have siblings that work together.... that's pretty weird. We actually figured that out, but we were waiting for confirmation. Her sister also knows Chris Pearson because she currently works at Peoria, but will be moving to Liberty next semester. 

This week we were able to reach our goals of Walk-N-Talks and Book of Mormon copies!!! Actually we not only reached them but surpassed them, which is AMAZING!! A total of 213 walk-n-talks, and 16 copies of the Book of Mormon!!!! Of course Wednesdays, downtown helped but we are quite happy that we were able to accomplish those goals.

     Anyway, on the investigator front we have had some ups and downs this week. I feel like Evergreen has so much potential that I sometime get overwhelmed and tired just thinking about it. I guess one thing at a time on that. Our Investigator Doug has given us a sort of up and down this week. We were going to meet him on Tuesday, but he called like 3 hours before our lesson and told us that he wanted to wait until the new year to meet again because he just wasn't sure. I got really inspired and when he called back I talked to him for like 15 minutes about the Lord and his love for him and the reason that we read the Book of Mormon. As my zone leader Elder Martin would say "Chalk one up for the Spirit". He agreed to meet with us on Thursday at the 24th St. Chapel, and that brought us to a new problem of who we would get to come to our lesson. Doug actually doesn't live in our ward boundaries, but we have permission to teach him... however we want him to be able to get to know the people from his ward. We called the Woodbine Elders for some help (this being after I had prayed all morning to be able to find someone that would be perfect for Doug), and they gave us a list of people that would be available. Long story short, we ended up having an amazing lesson with Doug and his new fellow-shipper Sister Wallace who ended up being the most perfect person for him. By the end of the lesson, he told us that he felt like he needed to make a commitment to the Lord!!!!! Everyone stop what you are doing and got reach Mosiah 5: 4-5!!!! Okay sorry, I am back on track now. Unfortunately when we called him later in the week to ask if he was going to church he gave us the news that his wife isn't really happy with him, and that she wants him to go to her church before he makes the decision. We are praying for and hoping that things will work out in his behalf.

Janet, another one of our investigators, has quit smoking!!!!!!! We are so excited for her and hope that she will have the strength to keep going and to bring her boys into the gospel. I don't want to bore you all with my mission stories... however we had another really cool experience where we went to go see a potential and she wasn't home, so I felt like we needed to go and see if anyone lived in Oman and Atoye's old place. When we rang the doorbell, a girl named Salwa answered, and she told us that she had received a Book of Mormon a week previous from a friend in High River!!!! It sounds like the beginning of one of those really inspiring stories told in sacrament meeting. We are excited to teach her and to bring her into the light and the love of God.

Another cool thing that has happened on my mission is that I feel like I have learned more skills out here then I have back at home. This week I went on exchanges with Sister Hassan to the YSA ward, and although we didn't have any lessons, two things happened... I learned how to Crochet (from a relief society activity), and I listened to an amazing talk called "Sleeping Through Gethsemane".

Over all I am really excited for this transfer with Sister Gardner. I have already learned a lot, and progressing forward, and am becoming more and more comfortable with being a missionary. Thank you all for your support and love. I can't wait to hear all about your Christmas experiences and the work that the Lord has done in your life!! I love you always and forever. Have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Sister Kelliann Jensen

Hi Mom!!!

I can't believe that you go the flu!!! That is awful and I think that you deserve to be able to throw up in dad’s car. I remember that one time I was really sick when we went to go see the Flutes and Temple lights... I miss them and hope that you have a wonderful time. I think that with the Skype call we will be doing it at Sister Peters house... what time would you like me to be on the computer. I need to see if I can remember my Skype so that you can call me, but I will send it to you next week or have Sister Peters send it to you. I did get your second package and you Dear Elder package!! It turns out that President does a fireside in December and it is during that time that we get our packages... and we got to watch Meet the Mormons. There is a part in it where they are talking to a missionary mom and it shows him going off on his mission. I cried. I love you so much and can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks. Feel better, tell Grandma that I am sending off her card soon, and hug O'Malley for me. Also, do you think that you could send me those CTR rings that Marianne gave me before I left and maybe the Watch as well??? We have a lot of kids that I think would love them. I love you lots.

Kelliann

Happy Transfer Day

Happy new transfer!!!!!

I seriously can't believe that I have been out for 3 months already!! I can tell that this is going to be a good transfer. Speaking of transfers, Sister Martin is now down south in good old Cardston as a Sister Training Leader!!! WHOOT WHOOT. And my new companion here in Evergreen is....... SISTER GARDNER. Funny story about Sister Gardner is that she is also from Arizona of the Mesa variety, and she trained Sister Martin so in the way of mission posterity she is my Grandmother!!! She only has one more transfer left so it looks like I might be in Evergreen for at least 3 more months. The whole mission did a pretty big turn-around this transfer. News came from Salt Lake that we shouldn't have Elders and Sisters serving in the same ward, so many areas were purged and many companions (everyone in my Zone) changed companions. Although I am sad to see many of them leave, I am excited for the new people in our areas that I can get to know and love.

Sister Gardner is probably the cutest. Most patient and well trained missionary I have seen. I feel like I am on just one large exchange because she knows so much, and I have already learned so much from her and her ways of doing things. I am still finding out every day what I have to offer as a missionary, and why my talents are needed in Evergreen. Oh and one of the best things that I have learned from her so far is that I need to write in my journal... EVERY DAY. Although I am not the biggest fan of doing so, I know that I will kick myself if I don't.

The work here in Evergreen is going really well. I feel like as soon as I got a new companion and am no longer training in this area, I see how much potential the area has. We have made a goal of having 2 baptisms by the end of the transfer, and we are excited to work as hard as we can to make that happen, with the aid of the Lord. I have been taking Sister Gardner around all week to meet members and investigators. So far we have had one lesson with Janet, and I am super excited because she said that after these last three packs of cigarettes that she is done smoking!!!!! We are praying for her every day and fasting for her to succeed. We have appointments set up with all of our other investigators, and I am excited to see the difference that the gospel can make in their life.

This week was also full of many celebrations. On Thursday we went and set up for the Shawnessy Christmas party, and then the next day we served at the Shawnessy party. They had so much food left over that they were able to fill 20 disposable roasting pans with leftovers!!!! Plus they had like 300 people there. On Saturday we had our Christmas party using the decorations from the night before. We had a pretty good turn out with like 5 less-actives and Janet came. The Morante family was in charge of the party, and they had their son's salsa group dance for us. Not the usual Christmas celebration, but still pretty cool.

Sunday, or yesterday, was Fast Sunday. I really enjoy being able to bear my testimony to the congregation, and I felt strongly that I needed to after feeling the spirit so strongly during the sacrament. Later that night we had the opportunity to watch the Christmas devotional, and I hope that each of you were able to, or will be able to watch it. We actually had an investigator Marian show up without us knowing and then she called us later and said that she had been there and really enjoyed it. Overall, all is well and new her in the Evergreen area. The weather has warmed up quite a bit and is supposed to stay nice for most of the week (Which is really nice because I have been assigned as the designated driver). I am thankful every day for the growth that I am able to have and the experiences that allow me to grow closer to my Father in Heaven. Thank you for all of the support that you give me and the love that you have.

Sister Kelliann Jensen.

Hi Mom!!!

I don't have a lot of time to send a full email, but I sent a family one so hopefully you get that and can read it soon. My new companion's name is Sister Gardner. She actually trained Sister Martin and has one transfer left on her mission. She is also from Arizona. Snow wise there is a lot of snow on the ground, but it has been there for a while so it actually looks quit brown and kind of gross. Calgary is not the best when it comes to plowing the roads.... so I am really grateful to have snow tires because I am driving this transfer. I did get on of your packages. The one with the stocking in it. I told Sister Peters to hide it from me so that I wouldn't be tempted to open it. I am not sure on a time for skyping just yet, but I will let you know I soon as I know. I knew that dad would be a good wrapper; I have seen him wrap things before :) I love you lots!! Hope you have a great week.

Love Kelliann

This was our last day together before transfer.

Staying in Evergreen til the next Transfer

Hi Daddy!!

This week was full of turkey, my three month mark, transfer notices, and a lot of Hot Chocolate and good lessons. I will start with the turkey. I can now say that I have celebrated Christmas before Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, we had our Relief Society Christmas party. We had two investigators come to that, Janet and Marian. We had turkey (which was also slightly overdone… :P), salad, rolls (or buns as the Canadians call them), and some pretty great desserts. I played the guitar and sang a Primary Christmas song called "Who is the Child", Sister Martin and I came up with a new verse, and it went okay... I was kind of nervous. Our investigators had a lot of fun and even got to know some new people which is amazing for Janet. The next day was Thanksgiving and as you know we had dinner at the Babcock’s. I can now say that I have had brined Turkey... have you ever tried that?? Knuckle’s is the dog in the pictures, and he is just as crazy as O'Malley. I feel very grateful to have spent Thanksgiving with them and 5 other missionaries that I have grown to love and will miss dearly as they transfer, train, and go home. On Friday, we went to our recently re-baptized member Gillian's house, and ate Turkey soup (they are Canadian), and had a great 2 hour lesson with her husband Roy. He has never really been open to the gospel, and has an issue with Home Teachers, so we get to do a lot of teaching in their home. (Not to mention Gillian signs up to feed us practically every week). During this 2 hour lesson we talked about Christmas and the Priesthood, which he does have a problem with. He then came to church on Sunday because it was the 5th Sunday and he and his wife would not have to be separated. It could not have been a more perfect Sunday for him to come. Not only was the 3rd hour all about the ARP program, but the 3rd speaker in Sacrament was his fellow-shipper on... the Priesthood!!!! He answered and readdressed everything we spoke with him about on Friday. SOOO COOOLLL!!! We also had one more investigator come to church, Janet. Plus we picked Ben back up, whom we had passed off to the missionaries who live in his area, and Doug conquered most of his problem even without help!! Good week.

I can't believe that I have been out for three months already. Time certainly flies and drags all at the same time. Like just now I looked at the clock when I started writing this letter and I had 67 minutes left, now I have 32... I have no idea where the time went.

Transfer notices. So this week was what is known in the mission as Board week, which means that President deciding where and what needs to happen with his missionaries this transfer. We have 22 new missionaries coming in this week. 11 Sisters, 11 Elders. During Board week, calls go out throughout the week for things like trainers, leaders, and purges (which means that both missionaries in the area would be leaving) so Sister Martin and I were both on edge every time the phone rang. When we got to emails this morning we found out that Sister Martin will be going down South... and I will be getting a new companion. I feel very blessed to have started out in an area that is so much like home. Evergreen is like home away from home, and I am happy that I get to stay for at least another transfer. I was kind of scared because everyone thought I would be training, however the Lord knows me better and knows that I am not quite ready for that. I am excited to try my hand out in the Evergreen area without Sister Martin, but I will miss her and cherish the things that I have learned from her and the friendship that I have gained.

As far of Hot Chocolate goes, it is a very popular drink around here. I feel like I have it at least 5 times a week and Timmy's hot chocolate is the best. I will definitely be taking you to Tim Horton’s if you come up when I am finished with my mission. Although I am going to miss this transfer and the things that I have learned, I am excited to meet my new companion and start anew as a non-greeny. I love you lots!! Oh and also we are allowed to Skype on Christmas, so you should create a Skype so that we can do that.

Also the church has put out a new website called Christmas.mormon.org. They are doing a worldwide spread of what we call "He is the Gift" and the church will be doing a complete you tube ad takeover starting Dec. 7th and will be having 4 billboards in time square!!!! Exciting things are happening! Have a great week.

Love you forever,

Kelliann (Sister Jensen)

Hi Mom,

It looks like I will be staying in Evergreen for at least another transfer; however Sister Martin will be leaving down south... I am sad to see her go, but I look forward to starting over with a new companion which I will meet on Thursday. I really hope that I end up with one of my MTC roommates, Sister Milius, who actually sent me a letter on Sunday. She is in Medicine Hat, but her companion is training again, and so it is a possibility that she could be coming up North. Thanksgiving was super fun. The Babcock’s are wonderful people and I feel very blessed to know them and to have them in my area. They make holidays a little better because I can't be with you. As for the bangs, I had pulled them back that day because it is a pain in the mornings sometimes to do them ha, ha. And the dog’s name is Knuckles. He is quite the dork, and really is just like O'Malley in dog form. It has also been a great blessing to live in the Peters home. They are like family away from family. They have a son that has three little girls, just like Adelle, Millie, and Lucy, and a dog about the size of O'Malley. It really is as close to being at home as you can get when you are away.

Your Black Thursday sounds really crazy!!! I can't/can believe that Target has fallen into the consumer trap and is now opening on Thursday and it really breaks my heart that a holiday so based on family has been taken to the wayside by shopping. How is Adelina doing?? You should have her email me :) Also how is Stephanie Wood? I was going to ask for her email the other day, but I forgot.

It got crazy cold this week. -20 with a wind chill of -31. However, I appear to be adjusting just nicely. I think that I like the cold better then I like the warm. There are only so many layers you can take off when you can put as many as you want on. Plus I like sweaters... and scarfs...and all wintery things. I feel as though I have been placed in just the perfect place for me, and I know that Heavenly Father definitely knows me better than I do. I really can't believe that is has been three months already, especially when you compare these 3 months to 3 months of waiting to get out here which were the longest three months of my life. All of our investigators have come a long way in just one week. Each of them have overcome issue that I thought would have been a lot harder to over-come, and yet they did. Janet came to church this week. Marian came to the Relief Society Christmas party (which was the day before Thanksgiving), and Doug solved most of his problems by just doing the things that we asked him. Plus we had this amazing 2 hour conversation with an investigator name Roy who is the husband of our recently baptized member Gillian. We talked about a lot of things specifically Christmas and the Priesthood (which he still has a lot of issues with). Then he actually came to church on Sunday and the third talk was on the Priesthood given by none other than his friend-shipper, answering every single one of his questions from Friday!!! SOOOO COOOOLLLLL. The work is going well here in Evergreen. I am getting better and look forward for a new transfer with a new companion. I will be sending off your package this week for Christmas and it will probably contain every ones presents because I am not sure I have enough to send cards and presents all over the country. Say hi to every one for me!! I love you lots.

OH AND LOOK UP Christmas.mormon.org!!! It is a new Christmas message that the church is putting out to the whole world called He is the Gift!! Have a great week!!! I still haven't found me camera charger, but hope to do so when we pack up Sister Martin so I will send you some pictures soon.

Love Sister Kelliann Jensen

Hey!

So, I'm Sister Hassan, I'm Sister Jensen's Sister Training Leader. :D

She just wanted me to send you this picture of us together. We ended up walking a lot on the day we went on exchanges and it was snowing, so we got pretty wet.

While I'm at it, I wanted to tell you how wonderful your daughter is. She is so sweet, and kind, and genuine and It's so easy to see the joy that she brings into the lives of others. Thank you so much for your sacrifice of sending her here. She is doing great, great things.

Sister Hassan

Missionary Planning Day - in front of a fire - it is -20 with a -32 degree wind chill

Bonus Pics from a Member at Thanksgiving

Transfers Next Week

Thank you to everyone that answered my question on "Where have you lived and what was your favorite place to live". I was really interesting reading every ones points of view on a place and why they did or did not like the area. It seems like Fort Douglas, Salt Lake was the unanimous love for everyone, even though Dad loves Arizona and Mandy isn't sure (I am not sure if that is cheating the question, but I guess saying that you might not have found it yet is an okay answer). As for me, I have really only lived in 3 places my entire life (4 if you count Evergreen :)). Because we moved from Fort Knox when I was two, Kentucky really doesn't even count on my list, so really it has to be Arizona all the way. I remember when we moved from Avondale to Phoenix, and to be honestly I don't even remember being sad about moving. I have really enjoyed living in North Phoenix. I love the area, the people, my family... and it has really been nice to have most of my family so close to one another. I loved my high school, my band, and really enjoyed the last couple of years I have spent outside of High School, mostly because of the closeness that we have been able to have as a family. As far as Canada goes, it really does remind me on Utah. I have really grown accustom to the weather and now we walk outside and say "oh it is 0 (32) it is so warm out. The cold has not really bothered me, and although I miss my AZ sun, it is starting to feel like home. So I can't really say that I have had the same experiences with different places as all of you have, but I have really enjoyed the time I have spent in North Phoenix, and Utah I mean Canada ;).

It seems really weird to me to think that this week is Thanksgiving. Because Thanksgiving is in October here, I feel like Christmas should be done and over with yet at the same time I can't believe that I will have been out for 3 months on Thursday. As for Thanksgiving here, we will be spending it with the Babcocks, and I will see if they can send you some pictures because I still can't seem to find my camera charger :(. I am excited to spend some more time with them, especially since my three months training are almost over with. Mom, you asked what my favorite memories from Thanksgiving are. Well I don't really seem to be able to pin point one Thanksgiving that really stands out to me, but I can tell you all of my favorite parts. It all really starts with the Thanksgiving day Parade. I feel like I have been watching that parade every year for most of my life, and I have always enjoyed the parts where they do the Broadway shows. Be sure to watch it for me this year. My next favorite part has always been mom's rolls. I think I could eat like 12 of them for dinner and I would be happy. Another part that stands out from past Thanksgivings is the little green bowls on the table that we would put gherkin pickles and olives in. Every time Dad and I past the table we would snatch a few and by the time Dinner came around there would hardly be any left. Other little things stand out like making pie cookies with the left over pie dough (I actually did that the other day because we made a Banana Cream pie for a member), and watching the dog show. I can't really think of the last time all of us have been together for Thanksgiving, and we are going to have to make a point of getting together again when I get home (even if it is like 8 months away from the time I get home to Thanksgiving).

As far as my week this week, it was actually really good. I feel like this week things started to come together really well, and I am starting to become comfortable with the people and my companion. This probably means that things are about to change haha, and I expect they will be soon. Transfers will be next week, and I am excited to see what happens, whether Sister Martin or I leave, and what happens to our zone. These past few months have been quite the learning curve for me, and I feel like Heavenly Father has really been wanting me to learn about who I am, how I tick, and what I need personally to be able to function well enough to help those around me. Because I have been with my companion, I have learned that I need someone to talk things out with because I am not and really never have been good at compartmentalizing things in my head. I have to write things down or else I forget, and just because I am hard on myself, doesn't mean that I haven't learned anything or grown. I have learned that I worry about everything and that I am a perfectionist, but that all of these things are okay because they make me who I am. These things, combined with my testimony, are exactly what Heavenly Father needs when he puts me with a companion, in an area, or even on my mission, and that He wants me to be who I am. :). I have grown in testimony and understand about my divine potential, about Christ, and about the atonement and I encourage everyone to read the talk "The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope" by James E. Faust.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/the-atonement-our-greatest-hope?lang=eng.

Oh, something that I have been wanting to tell Dad, is that in Calgary, there are noooo Pigeons. None. I haven't seen a single one. Zip. Nada... but there are HUUUGGGEE Rabbits and Sea gulls.

As far as investigators goes, we have been come to cross roads with just about all of them. It is amazing to see the difference that it makes when they go to church, pray, and read. And sadly one of our investigators Janet has been having a hard time lately because when she stopped going to church, she stopped understanding, and when she stopped understanding, her prayers have not been as open. It is all about our true desire of heart. If we don't want it, or are not searching for it, Heavenly Father can't give it to us based on the law of Agency that he is bound to. He will never give us something that we do not want. Or actually more accurate is that we can't except something that we don't know is there. It reminds me of President Uchtdorfs General Relief Society talk this year where he said that "Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It isour fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us." This is something that I have learned to be true this week. He is always there waiting to help us. Always wanting us to become the people He knows we can be. Always doing the most he can, but having to wait until we want it, until we decide to change before we recognize His divine help. I have learned to love my father in Heaven so much during my struggles as a missionary. I am growing to understand and commit myself to Christ and His gospel, and as I go out each day I learn more and more that God is there, that He cares for us, and that He wants the best for everyone. This life is all about becoming/remembering our true identity. It is about remember that we are daughters and sons of God and the way we do that is by committing ourselves to Christ and "following in his way". A quote I have on my wall is "Discover your true self through Christ".

I love you all, Enjoy your week and Thanksgiving. I will be thinking about you!!!!

Love,

Sister Kelliann Jensen

P.S. - I have actually started to learn how to play the guitar and have been volunteered to play and sing at the relief society Christmas party this Wednesday. It is funny because our Christmas party is the day before Thanksgiving and Sister Babcock (the American Sister in our ward) is actually putting the party on and then the next day we will be having Thanksgiving at her house.:)

P.S.S - Next week is Transfer week so I will be writing on Tuesday instead of Monday.

Love you all!!!!!

Hi Dad,

How have I gone my entire life and never known that I was blessed in Utah too???? That is pretty crazy every time something big has happened in my church life, it has never been in the ward that I actually belonged to at that time. I was bless and baptized both in Utah, and then I had my farewell talk and was set apart by my home ward Stake president, which is not actually the ward that I was attending at the time. So weird. I am going to have to continue the tradition and not get married in the state that I am living in. I love you so much and will give you the same question that I gave mom!! I hope that you two have a fun time talking about it. Where have you lived throughout your life and which area was your favorite??? I like this question thing, it helps me learn more about you guys and still feel close to you as I am so far away. Oh and the weather is sooo crazy up here. Back and forth everyday. Let me know what questions you have for me, sometimes I have no clue what to write. :) Love you a ton,

 

Sister Kelliann Jensen

 

Hi Everyone,

This week was Stake Conference in the Foothills stake. I never realized how big our stake was, but I thoroughly enjoyed the conference. The Saturday session was all based around missionary work. They had 3 youth speak about how they were preparing for a mission, and they had 2 Returned missionaries speak on what they learned on their missions, I think the biggest thing I learned came from President Palmer, who is the 2nd counselor of the mission here in Calgary. He talked about a missionary that served in Ireland 50 years ago and how he thought that is was an "unsuccessful" mission because he had only baptized one person on his mission. President Palmer then went on to talk about how the mission was then closed for a time until years later when they reopened it to find that that one man had been working hard to prepare all of his family for baptism. From that one baptism, President Palmer's family came into the church, from that one missionary, a whole line of gospel centered families where born. He then talked about when they had the temple open house here is 2012 and there was a comment card that will haunt him forever. The card read "I had no idea, why do you people hide". We truly have no idea. We have no idea what effect we have on people, what one smile, one wave, one copy of the Book of Mormon will do for someone. I always hear of the stories of people that say if they had just had one person wave or smile at them, that would have caused them to rethink them trying to take their life. Sometimes it just takes one person, one hand to reach out... and as members of the church, we can not only reach out to others in love, but also in Charity. We need to being showing everyone that Christ and Heavenly Father are always there for us. 2 Nephi 28:32 says "come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day-long". Heavenly Father loves all of His children. He wants us to help Him with his work, and we need to remember that the worth of souls is great in His eyes.

 I think that we as human beings often times let things get in the way of what our true focus should be in this world. We need to remember, that no matter what goes on, God is always here for us, and he needs us to be there for others as they struggle. During the last general conference, Elder Lynn G. Robbins spoke about which way we face. Although this talk was one of the most memorable in me, the message didn't start sinking in until this week really. We need to be putting the will of God before our own will. And I feel like I am preaching to the choir, because I realized on Sunday that just about everyone else that I know is sooo much better about do this then I am, but I guess that why I am the one learning this hardcore on my mission not you. When we do the will of the Lord, and not focus on the will of the "flesh", we are blessed and experience lasting joy. However, doing this 24/7 is often really difficult and requires day by day repenting and working until the days comes that it our will is inline completely with that of our Father in Heaven.

 

One of the youth speakers on the Sunday session of Conference was talking about Moroni's Quest (which is basically a youth camp where they reenact the Book of Mormon!!), and she talked about the experiences that she had during the Tree of Life part (1 Nephi 8). One of the things that she said that really stood out to me was when she said that "Sometimes the people that take us away from the straight and narrow are the people that we love most". Or in some case the things we love most. This seems to be quit the recurring topic in my studies and really throughout my entire mission so far, and it is something I struggle with a lot. However, a scripture that has helped me through some of the hardest times on my mission has been 1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded. For I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the Children of Man, save He shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the things which he commandeth them." I know for a fact that when we are striving our best to do the will of the Lord, to put Him first in our lives, that He will be there every step of the way. He promises and will help us to accomplish the goals that we have in this life, however we have to be doing our part. It is after all we can do that He will help us. It is after we use our agency and tell Him that we are ready to change that He will show us that we do not have to do it alone. Christ is the biggest hope to all mankind. His atonement for us is infinite and covers everything that we will and have gone through in this life, and we need to remember that sometimes the best thing we can do is remember that Christ is always with us. That with Him, anything is possible. I am learning to love this gospel more and more every day, and if I don't do anything else on my mission, I will call my mission a success if I can help one person remember that Christ is always and forever there for them, not matter what they are going through.

 

On the news of the Canada front, things have started to warm up. We were hitting -25 last week with heavy wind chill, and I survived that so I think I have got it in me to make it through the rest of winter. This week should be much warmer, and hopefully we will be able to get a lot done in the field of Evergreen. I am grateful for each and every one of you, and thank Heavenly Father every day for the people that I have met and who bless my life every day. Thank you so much for the support you give me, and the love you show me. Thank you for your Prayers, I love you.

 

Sister Jensen

 

 

Snail Mail and Photo's

Week of October 17^th

 

Dear Mom & Dad,

     Oct 17^th – Can you tell that I have been having a hard time remembering to write…oops, sorry. I will try to be better! Today was a pretty awesome day! It started off kind of rocky, but I am learning to place my trust and faith in the Lord and growing in my knowledge of his atonement. Oh, so I got your package today! I love my duct tape rose pens. Mandy has been emailing me about them! And funny story, I saw a girl eating one of those caramel corn cob things the other day and I thought “Oh, I Love those, they remind me of Grandma and Mom” and then, poof, there they were in my package! Way to listen to the spirit! I meet so many people here that I am learning to love and know that I will miss when I leave the Evergreen area. Good thing I can invite 10 special people from my mission to my farewell ceremony when I head out! Oh, so yesterday was transfer day. Usually they happen the 6^th week instead of the 5^th, but they changed it for this transfer. We got a new district leader, and a new zone leader, and two new sister training leaders. The weather has stayed pretty nice here but it is supposed to snow by Halloween…we aren’t allowed to be outside that day.

 

Oct 18^th – Today was a bit of a harder day. I think because I hold myself to such high standards that I don’t want to disappoint and always feel like I am. That is something I am working on, but it will be a long process. I always feel like when a lesson falls through it is because of me…all of our lessons fell through today so I really felt down. Sister Martin had a bad cold and got a priesthood blessing today which was cool because I have never had/seen a sick blessing so I didn’t know what it was like. Tomorrow is Sunday so that should really be good. Overall it was another good day on the mission. Oh, we made pies with Brother Brown again which was fun. I really like talking to his wife Michiko. They remind me of Kent and Mitsue. Love you always.

 

October 19^th – Happy Birthday! I mean Sabbath; sorry it is kind of late over here. Anyways, today was a pretty good day full of some pretty great miracles. I feel like every time I am feeling down, the Lord always picks me back up… When we were on our way back home today we got a voicemail from a great member who is one of the most faithful people I have ever met. She call us and just told us how she felt like she needed to call us back and let us know that the Lord is aware of, and loves us, and he know what we are doing for him. Also, one of Sister Martin’s recent converts texted and told her that he was praying for God to touch her with his healing power…we never told him she was sick. It is amazing the little miracles you see every day as a missionary.

October 20^th – Happy P-day! Today was a great p-day! I can already tell that this is going to be such a wonderful transfer. I love all of our new missionaries in this area. Sisters Harris and Hassan are our new sister training leaders. They are both amazing. Sister Harris was in the Evergreen area as her baby area and now she is back as a sister trainer in the YSA ward. Sister Hassan was a drama major before she came out here, and she is so great. We actually sang and played the piano for part of P-day and it was amazing. It was a really good day. We didn’t get to email because the computers were down at the library, but we should email tomorrow. We also made granola bars during P-day, and had a great time visiting with all the new people to our zone. I hope you had a good day too.

October 26^th – Happy Sunday! Tomorrow is my two month mark on a mission. Can you believe that? We also got our new planners and I realized that November 27^th is not only Thanksgiving, but my 3 month mark as well. Pretty crazy! So as far as work goes, things are picking up here in Evergreen. We actually had our first “first lesson” together as a companionship today. He is from China. He doesn’t really believe in God, but we in invited him to read Alma 32 and to pray about it. Also, we taught YW today on Christ like service. I have never taught a Sunday school class before my mission, so it amazes me how much I have grown. I picked up a personal progress book at the distribution center and will be working towards that throughout my mission. It has been a great week. I love you!

Kelliann